Message from the President:

Welcome to my website at Western Washington University. My friends call me Bruce, and I look forward to counting you among my friends at Western. I chose to come to Western as the 13th President because WWU is clearly a very special place. In addition to the faculty, who are excellent teachers and scholars, everyone at Western is eager to help students learn and live well. This is a beautiful campus in an outstanding academic and physical environment.

The best way to experience Western's vibrant learning environment is to visit our state-of-the-art facilities situated in the beautiful foothills of the Cascade Mountains on the Puget Sound. Visit a classroom or research laboratory. Attend a lecture. Cheer at a sporting event. Tour the Outdoor Sculpture Collection. Take a hike in the Arboretum. And talk with the many talented people who make this such an exceptional institution. Then compare WWU to other universities in the nation through a new system of accountability for higher education, College Portraits.org. You'll find that we measure up to your expectations!

Welcome to Western! When you see me on campus, please introduce yourself.

2011-2012

2010-2011

President Bruce Shepard gave a keynote address at the 2011 Munro Seminar at Western Washington University on Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Shepard's presentation was titled "From 'A' to 'F': The Challenges Facing Public Higher Education in Washington."

President Bruce Shepard appeared on "KCTS 9 Connects" on Friday, April 8, 2011, to discuss higher education funding. Shepard appeared with four other presidents of four-year universities in Washington.

President Bruce Shepard made remarks to the Higher Education Coordinating Board on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010. The meeting took place at Gonzaga University. Shepard made his remarks along with the presidents of the other four-year institutions of higher learning in Washington state. Each university was presenting its 2011-13 Intitutional Budget Request.

President Bruce Shepard and the vice presidents invite all faculty and staff to the 33rd Annual Spring Recognition Ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. May 4 in the PAC Mainstage Theatre. Refreshments to follow. Parking enforcement will be suspended from 2:30-5:30 p.m. for the event. Advance notice for ADA accommodation is appreciated; for accomodations, please call Mika Greathouse at (360) 650-3771.

President Bruce Shepard is seeking nominations for the 2010 Exceptional Effort Awards. Award recipients will be recognized with a special gift at the Spring Recognition Award Ceremony on Tuesday, May 4 and will be invited to join Shepard and his wife, Cyndie, for dinner at their home that evening. Nominations must be submitted online by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.

2009-2010

Faculty and Staff are invited to attend the annual Holiday Celebration featuring "A Season of Giving," on Tuesday, December 1, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the
Viking
Union MPR - featuring a 50/50 drawing to benefit a WWU Employee Scholarship and a Food Drive and student entertainment.

Approximately 200 members of the campus community and members of the public attended the 2009 WWU Veterans Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 10 from 10:30-11:30 in the Viking Union Multi-purpose room. A reception followed the ceremony.

President Bruce Shepard's address to the fall faculty and staff Opening Convocation is available here.

Western welcomes Provost Catherine Riordan and Dean of Fine and Performing Arts Dan Guyette to the community.

2008-2009

President Shepard conferred Exceptional Effort Awards for excellent service on 27 staff members at the Employee Awards Ceremony on June 2, 2009. Individuals nominated received high praise of colleagues and supervisors.